CALA 500

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As part of CALA’s ongoing Health and Wellbeing programme, some of the CALA team have come together to participate in our very own CALA 500! Their aim was to work together to collectively collate their daily cycling, walking, running miles to see if they could complete 500 miles together between the 18th of January and 14th of February.
 
In true #TEAMCALA style, they met this target in just over a week! In order to keep the momentum going, they are now raising the bar and are going to aim for 500 miles per week!
 
Along with the benefits of getting out and about, the teams’ spirits are also being lifted by sharing of photographs of the stunning scenery from across Highland (and of course a few added extra photos of their four-legged friends!). We have shared a few photos below for you to enjoy.
 
We hope all our children, families, members and partners are finding time to get outside each day – it is amazing what even a few moments of fresh air can do for lifting the spirits!
 
Keep safe everyone.
 

Enrolment Week

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Enrolment week for Early Learning and Childcare settings will take place from the 8th to 12th February 2021.

Children born between 1 March 2017 and 28 February 2019 are entitled to a funded Early Learning and Childcare place.

CALA has some available spaces in our settings throughout Highland.

Click here for further details of setting locations, contact details and information about each setting.

Further information on ELC Enrolment is available from the Highland Council  – click here

Funding Support for Eligible Childminders

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Scottish Government have announced funding to support childminders business sustainability. Scottish Government state:

Grants of up to £1,000 each will be made to eligible childminding providers, and work is now underway with the Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA) to finalise the details of the scheme. Further information on how to apply will be published shortly.

Alongside the funding, a new Childminding Action Plan has been published, setting out the Scottish Government’s vision for the sector and the actions to support it that are being taken now and into the future.

Click here to access further information.

 

Update – Scottish Government

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In the latest update today, the Scottish Government announced that the current closures of ELC settings will remain in place until at least mid-February due to the COVID-19 rates remaining high.
 
Nurseries & regulated childcare providers should continue to open to key worker/vulnerable children only.
 
Childminders can continue to stay open operating in line with the latest guidance.
 
A further review will now take place on the 2nd of February 2021.
 
Read further information – CLICK HERE 
Practitioners – for latest guidance and support CLICK HERE
Parents – for advice, guidance and fun play and learning ideas CLICK HERE

Scot Gov – (COVID-19): financial support to childcare sector

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The Deputy First Ministers announcement today included information on financial support for childcare providers.
 
This information applies to private and third sector childcare providers and childminders and sets out the range of business and financial support that has been made available to the childcare sector.
 
Access this and other relevant guidance on our Practitioner Portal
 
 
 

Updates from Scottish Government

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Childminders

There are no changes for childminders following yesterday’s announcement from the First Minister, Childminders can continue to operate as normal under Level 4 guidance, ie to all children, not only key workers and vulnerable children.  

The FM’s statement applies only to extending supplementary guidance for daycare of children’s services including out of school care to the end of January.  We will keep you updated on this as information is shared.

Updated Guidance for Organised Activities for children

Scottish Government have issued newly updated guidance for the safe running of organised activities for children and young people during lockdown – this includes Toddler Groups. Access the guidance at https://www.careandlearningalliance.co.uk/practitioner-hub/

We recognise that in the current climate there is a need for responsive and fast-changing guidance and information and the difficulties keeping track of this can create.  We endeavour to update our website with direct links to all sector guidance/information as it is shared with us – keep checking in on the dedicated pages of our website at:

Practitioners Portal at  https://www.careandlearningalliance.co.uk/practitioner-hub/

Parent Portal at https://www.careandlearningalliance.co.uk/parent-portal/